Rumi's Masnavi - In prayer and fasting and pilgrimage and alms-giving the true believers are (engaged) with the hypocrite in (what brings) victory and defeat.

In prayer and fasting and pilgrimage and alms-giving the true believers are (engaged) with the hypocrite in (what brings) victory and defeat.

Victory in the end is to the true believers; upon the hypocrite (falls) defeat in the state hereafter.

Although both are intent on one game, in relation to each other they are (as far apart as) the man of Merv and the man of Rayy.

Each one goes to his (proper) abiding-place; each one fares according to his name.

If he be called a true believer, his soul rejoices; and if (he be called) “hypocrite,” he becomes fierce and filled with fire (rage). 290

His (the true believer's) name is loved on account of its essence (which is true faith); this one's (the hypocrite's) name is loathed on account of its pestilent qualities.

(The four letters) mím and wáw and mím and nún do not confer honour: the word múmin (true believer) is only for the sake of denotation.

If you call him (the true believer) hypocrite, this vile name is stinging (him) within like a scorpion.

If this name is not derived from Hell, then why is there the taste of Hell in it?

The foulness of that ill name is not from the letters; the bitterness of that sea-water is not from the vessel (containing it). 295